A Breast Lift Without Implants? Is There Such a Thing?

We are frequently asked by women if they can just get their breasts lifted without having breast implants.   The answer is a resounding “YES!”  If your breasts are sagging and you are happy with the size of your breasts when you have a bra on, then all you need is a lift.  Even if your breasts are a little bigger than you would like, a lift with a small reduction at the same time also works very well.

A breast lift is designed to not only lift the breast but also reshape it.  There are several reasons why your breasts sag and droop including pregnancy, hereditary traits, weight loss, weight gain and the natural aging process.  A breast lift can return your breasts to their original, perky position.   Sagging breasts can be corrected to a more youthful appearance by removing redundant skin and soft tissue.  Newer breast lift techniques have resulted in smaller external scars, improved breast shape and a high degree of patient satisfaction.

 

How Do I know If I am a Good Breast Lift Candidate?

Once your breasts have stopped changing either from breast development in your teens or after weight loss or pregnancy and breast feeding is when we consider breast surgery like a breast lift.

Once your breasts are “stable” or no longer changing, the next question to ask is do they hang down.  The pendulous or saggy breast in which the nipple and areola points down are usually good lift candidates.  Another condition for a lift is if the nipple and areola is below the fold under your breast or below the breast crease.

When Can You Have a Breast Lift?

A breast lift can be performed at any age, but Dr. Windle usually recommends waiting until your breast development has stopped.  Pregnancy and breast-feeding may affect the size and shape of your breasts, so you may wish to postpone surgery until after having children.

What Type of Breast Lifts Without an Implant Are There?

While there are many types of breast lifts or mastopexies, what one is chosen for you depends upon your anatomy.  The most common lift performed by Dr. Windle is a Brazilian breast lift that combines the techniques of two famous breast lift surgeon’s Dr. Ribero and De. Pontes.   This technique uses you own breast tissue to build a small breast mound or internal breast implant the is sutured to you muscle so that your breasts stay up in the position they are placed during surgery.  This serves to give your breast fullness in the upper pole and the lift no longer relies on just tightening the skin.

Another frequently used breast lift is the Benelli breast lift, doughnut or peri areolar breast lift.  This is a lift that is usually used when a small amount of skin tightening is needed.  This technique does lift the breast but now as much as the normal vertical or anchor breast lifts.  Commonly, it is used with breast lifts where a breast implant is used at the same time or when a breast implant is either in place already or is going to be used.

Will I See the Results from a Breast Lift Right Away?

While your breasts will be lifted, your final breast shape can take 6 months to emerge.  This is because the scars from the surgery can take that long or longer to completely mature and therefore relax.

What is the Recovery From a Breast Lift Like?

A breast lift, much like a breast reduction or even a breast augmentation does not have to involve a long painful recovery.  In fact, there are no drains, and all that is need for post operative pain is Aleve.  Dr. Windle uses a rapid recovery protocol so that you can go back to work in a day or so after surgery.

 

Can I Have a Breast Lift or Mastopexy at the Same Time as a Breast Augmentation?

Yes, a breast augmentation and a breast lift can be done at the same time.  Sometimes it is better to separate these two surgeries.  Together they comprise opposing surgeries: going bigger and going smaller.  Many surgeons feel that a breast augmentation/breast lift is the hardest operation we do in terms of getting good to great results and that is why they often recommend separating them.  Some concerns about doing a breast lift with a breast Implant together include:

• The two surgeries work against one another with a breast augmentation expanding the breast while a breast lift tightens the breast skin.
• The blood supply to the nipple and areola can become kinked or blocked when the two surgeries are done together resulting in the nipple dying.
• The pressure of the implant can cause wound healing problems in the breast lift incisions after surgery that can result in open wounds and possible implant exposure. This would result in implant removal.
• Breast implants are heavy and their weight can stretch the breast lift scars to unsatisfactory proportions.

While it may seem that combining the two surgeries would be simple and easy, that is not the case and Dr. Windle will decide on a case by case basis which is best for you.

What About the Scars?

Dr. Windle makes every effort to minimize the scars from a breast lift but these scars are permanent and can be heavy thick and unsightly.  A breast lift is really a trade.  You are trading your droopy breasts for perky breasts that have scars on them.  The scars form a breast lift gradually become less obvious, sometimes eventually fading to thin white lines.  Fortunately, the scars can usually be placed so that you can wear even low-cut tops.

How Long Will a Breast Lift Last?

You should also keep in mind that a breast lift, with or without breast implants won’t keep you firm forever.  The effects of gravity, pregnancy, aging, and weight fluctuations will eventually take their toll again.  However, if you maintain your weight, a breast lift usually last a long time and few women come back for a second lift.

How Satisfied are Breast Lift Patients or Is It Worth It?

Your satisfaction with a breast lift is likely to be greater if you understand the procedure thoroughly and if your expectations are realistic.  Dr. Windle finds that almost everyone who has a breast lift is thrilled with the results.  These patients say that the can often go without a bra.  Bras fit better and they do not have to wear a tight bra to hold their breasts up in place.  The overall “worth it” rating for this operation is 95%!

How Much Does a Breast Lift Without Breast Implants Cost?

A breast lift costs can be found here:   Breast Lift Cost

Do You Have Before and After Photos of a Breast Lift Without Breast Implants?

We have several patients who have had a breast lift and who have not had breast implants.  Frequently, they also had a small reduction in the size of their breasts as well.  Those that have given us permission have their breast lift before and after photos in our breast lift before and after gallery here.